RECRUITING: OU in North Carolina LB's top five

Brandon Spikes is a monster backer who just roams from sideline-to-sideline wreaking havoc on opposing offense's. Incredibly gifted, Spikes has all the intangibles that you look for in a linebacker.

"I play outside linebacker in high school, but I will probably play inside in college," said Spikes. "I will play either inside or outside, just as long as I play LB. Some recruiting sites have me at defensive end. I am not a defensive end."

Spikes is a rare four-year starter splitting time between defensive end and linebacker his freshman year, as he reported to camp at 255. After losing the baby fat thanks to a great running program, Spikes got his weight down to 230 and he has been one of the key players in Crest High's back-to-back state championships.

"It feels great to play on a team with so many great players," said Spikes. "We played great as a team and it has been a great thrill to win those championships. We are going to get one more this year."

Spikes missed two games last year with a hip-pointer, but still finished with 85 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two sacks. That followed an excellent sophomore year where Spikes finished with 100 tackles.

Spikes can bench 310 pounds, squats 450 and he has been a four-year starter in hoops averaging 17 points per game this past season leading Crest High to a state runner-up finish. This year, Spikes will go over the 1,000 point mark for his high school career.

Spikes has not been to any summer camps thus far, but he will go to Georgia soon and he hopes to take an unofficial visit to Florida in June.

"I plan to take all my visits during the season because I want to see the games and see the game atmosphere," said Spikes. "I have been offered by Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, N.C. State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forrest. After the camp in Georgia, I want to get my list down to five. I think they are going to be Oklahoma, Michigan, N.C. State, LSU and Florida.

"I am waiting on Miami to offer me or to see what they are going to do. I grew up watching Miami and they have always been one of my favorite schools. I am going to take a visit to Oklahoma for sure. They have a winning program and that is one of the things that I am looking at."

What about the Sooners?

"I want to go to a program that has a great chance to win and Oklahoma has gone to the National Championship the last two years. I want to go to a program where I am going to be surrounded by great players. I also want to go to a school where I feel like I am home. I want to play for a staff that makes me feel like I am part of their family and that they care about me. Of course, the education is going to be important to me. Right now I think I am going to major in communications. So, I know what I want in a college and now I have to just go and find it."